WNC business leaders visit Raleigh to advocate for business

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce staff and 50 business leaders from across Western North Carolina were in Raleigh last week advocating for your business. The Asheville Chamber partnered with the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber, Haywood County Chamber, Henderson County Chamber, and Madison County Chamber to advocate for job creation, regulatory reform, tax reform and education/workforce funding.

The delegation was able to meet with legislators from across Western North Carolina and the House and Senate leadership. This included Sen. Tom Apodaca, Sen. Martin Nesbitt, Sen. Jim Davis, Rep. Trudi Walend, Rep. Tim Moffitt, Rep. Chuck McGrady, Rep. Ray Rapp, and Speaker Pro Tem Phil Berger.

The Chamber’s delegation also made visits to the offices of every member of the General Assembly and let them know the combined Chambers' top legislative priorities. The event was a great demonstration of regional collaboration and advocacy and allowed attendees to network with business leaders from across Western North Carolina. 

Many thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Mission Health System; Gold Sponsor, Roberts and Stevens; and Silver Sponsor, UNC Asheville for making this trip possible.

Entrepreneur of the Month: Craig McAnsh, Mojo Coworking

The Chamber is pleased to recognize Entrepreneur of the Month Craig McAnsh of Mojo Coworking.

 “Craig has played a critical role in moving our entrepreneurial scene forward, ”  said Pam Lewis, Director of Entrepreneurship at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Mojo Coworking is Asheville’s only coworking space literally busting at the seams.”

Craig launched Mojo Coworking in April 2011 giving individuals and small businesses access to typical office amenities with flexible space and payment options. Mojo can accommodate 20 workers at one time and has more than 20 members.

“Beyond just creating better places to work, coworking spaces are built around the idea of community-building and sustainability. Coworking spaces agree to uphold the values set forth by those who developed the concept in the first place: collaboration, community, sustainability, openness and accessibility.”

The idea has definitely caught on in Asheville. “Using only Facebook and Twitter, we were sold out of private desks before we opened the doors,” said Craig. “We’ve reorganized the space three times since opening to accommodate growth among coworking members.” 

“An awesome community of coworkers has found its way to Mojo. I couldn’t have dreamed we’d have such a great collection of enterprising, creative, conscious coworkers,” Craig said.

“This collection of members has found Mojo to be an energizing environment for their personal and professional growth. JB Media – one of our members- has grown from two people to six people. Native Marketing has grown from one person to four people. People are collaborating together and business is being shared among members.”

After just one year, Mojo Coworking has outgrown its current space and will be moving this summer to a new location three times bigger than the current facility.